2018 Jeep Compass · symptom sheet
Check engine light or misfire
- 74owner reports
- 25,000median miles
- 1involved a crash
Newest report Aug 28, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
700 of the 943 complaints on this car are about the engine. 74 of those describe misfire.
Tick what matches of 74 reports
Misfire on other Compass years
Report counts are for each model year on its own, so a newer car has had less time to collect them. Model years with too few reports of it for a sheet: 2015, 2017, 2020, 2022.
What this problem usually is
These reports start with the check engine light. Many describe the engine running rough or shaking at idle, a P0300-series code, or a catalytic converter code. A worrying number say the light was flashing. Owners often list ignition coils or spark plugs already replaced, and the light coming back afterward.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the sensor (5 reports).
Recalls and investigations
3 recalls on the engine cover the 2018 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
The powertrain control module may be equipped with a voltage regulator chip in the circuit board that may fail, causing a stall or a no start condition.
The brightness of the backlighting for the Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC) cannot be adjusted. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 101, "Controls and Displays."
The engines may have a cracked oil pump housing that can result in oil pump failure.
All 6 recalls on the 2018 Jeep Compass, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
NHTSA investigations into the engine on the Compass
False overheat leading to loss of motive power. Closed dec 10, 2023.
Stall from crankshaft\camshaft failure. Closed jun 16, 2025.
None of these investigations covers the 2018 model year.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 9,000 and 40,000 miles, from the 50 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 5 service bulletins or notices for the 2018 Jeep Compass that deal with this problem. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
wiTECH Small Leak Verification Test (SLVT) - P0456-EVAP SYSTEM SMALL LEAK
No Start, After Flash And Or PCM Replace, DTC P0513 Invalid Skim Key Setting
Flash: Electronic Shift Module (ESM) Updates This bulletin involves reprogramming the Electronic Shift Module (ESM) with the latest available software. Customers may experience a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illumination.
Customer complaint may include MIL/Check Engine lamp on. Upon further inspection, fault code P219A - Bank 1 Air-Fuel Ratio Imbalance may be found in the powertrain control module (PCM) as pending, active, or stored.
1 more on the 2018 Jeep Compass page.
What owners wrote
“My odometer flashes since buying. Bluetooth connection causing screen to glitch and jump between settings. Screen turns blue and back up camera doesnât work randomly. Overheating issue came out of nowhere. No check engine lights. The jerking is a hazard while driving. The vehicle has been inspected and repaired by multiple shops. All these issues have been hazardous to me and my family.”
Filed Aug 10, 2026
“Unknown / Check engine lights came on, and then a warning saying stop safely, the engine will shut down soon, now it will not start. Leaving me stranded. This happened multiple times but now the car wonât start and will need to be towed. I have asked several repair shops and done research online, and nobody knows how to fix this issue.”
Filed Jan 6, 2026
“Check engine lights came on, and then a warning saying stop safely, the engine will shut down soon, now it will not start. Leaving me stranded. This happened twice, but now the car wonât start and will need to be towed. I have asked several repair shops and done research online, and nobody knows how to fix this issue.”
Filed Jan 3, 2026
“My start/stop system stopped working suddenly and it jerks forward almost stalling as it accelerates and decelerates. The radio glitches and flips between settings at a fast pace. It randomly loses power when accelerating and traction control flashes on dashboard. The check engine light came on for a few days then went off.”
Filed Apr 27, 2025
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 1 of 74 reports involved a crash and 2 people were hurt. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.
File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Which lights mean pull over now? Warning lights by color and urgency
Other problems on this car
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 376 reports
- Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 160 reports
- Burns oil or oil level rises 144 reports
- Battery dies or the car will not start 103 reports
- Multiple warning lights come on at once 68 reports
- Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 62 reports
- Engine overheats or leaks coolant 44 reports
- Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing 42 reports
- Headlights too dim or fail 39 reports
- Auto start-stop will not restart the engine 34 reports
- Engine rattles or ticks 30 reports
- "Service Transmission" message or wrench light comes on 30 reports
- Brakes on its own (automatic emergency braking) 29 reports
- Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard 26 reports
- Suspension noise, struts or alignment 26 reports
- Traction control or StabiliTrak light comes on 25 reports